Happy Spring!

Well, almost nothing is growing yet in my garden, and I'm getting quite annoyed! We planted almost 2 weeks ago, but then the temperature dropped back into the 70's. I know, still nice and warm, but it gets pretty cold at night still. I planted potatoes over the weekend, and they like cool weather, so hopefully that will start greening things up a bit. The lettuce, carrots, spinach aren't coming up, so I guess I have to replant them, darn it.

I've been working away at the Haines book, I'm going to post a couple of the family stories on this site in a day or so. I'm adding pictures of the family member where they are available, that was my sister Debbie's idea, makes it a lot more interesting.

Nic is working in Casa Grande this week for Fabtec, so David and I are left to our own devices. We had Dakota all day Saturday, and she wanted to go to dinner with us too! We went to the local NRA banquet, and she had so much fun. There was a Plinko game and Roullete wheel, she had a blast playing those. Dakota is so well behaved, it was quite fun to have her.

Cute Chicks

I know, I know, this background is really cutesy... but did you notice that it's baby chicks?? I'm not going to buy chicks this year, but I can post them on my website! My chickens are laying well, about 20 eggs a week now, so I can share with others and still have plenty.

We went to my nephew's wedding in Casa Grande last weekend, it was very very nice. His new bride is adorable, and the wedding was beautiful. They are so in love! They held the wedding and reception at the Francisco Grande, a nice golf resort in Casa Grande. I've been by there dozens of times, but never drove in to see the hotel. It was built in the 50's I think, John Wayne used to stay there. It's been renovated, the rooms are beautiful, and it's so quiet! The birds sing, there's a swimming pool and spa, it's amazing. I highly recommend it for a little get away.

I've been working hard on the Haines book for the reunion. I'm trying to add letters, pictures, copies of the Civil War pension requests I've found, and a story about each of our ancestors. I've found some pictures from Grandma Haines' collection that are so cool! George Haines all dressed up in western garb for the Phoenix rodeo- he was a police officer on duty, and all the officers dressed up for the occasion. There are a few pictures of Grandpa and his siblings at the 1969 family reunion in Prescott. That could be the last time they all got together, I know we didn't have another Haines reunion. They were in their 60's then, but you can really see the resemblance. I'm including a couple on the website I hope.

Crippled and Crabby

I have a pretty boring life I guess, at least today I feel pretty blah. Thursday I had a doctor's appt. in Phoenix to review my State disability claim. The Dr. talked to me for a while, I gave them a print-out with my surgeries, scripts, medical history, etc. (I know! I was so organized that I had it already on my computer, I just had to update a few things.) Then he put me through the wringer! Had me walk toward and away from him, touch my toes, not too difficult, but the worst was yet to come. He had to poke and prod every fibromyalgia trigger-point, there are about 21 of them. By the time we finished I could barely walk out of the office, and I've been crippled up ever since. I was sure glad David drove me down and back, because I'd never have made it by myself.

The worst is the waiting- I have no idea how long it will take him to send in the paperwork, or what his assessment will be. As much as I'd love to go back to work, that's just a pipe dream; I can't work 25 hours a week, let alone 40. Knowing that is depressing as hell, living it is a little bit worse.

I had a friend tell me the other day that just because I'm on disability doesn't mean I have to live miserably. We were talking about how careful I need to be with the energy I have. For instance, I took it really easy on Tuesday and Wednesday before the Dr. appt, because I knew that traveling and being at the doctor's would take all day, and I wouldn't make it if I did anything the day before. She said "It's OK to use the energy you have to do things that bring joy." That was a great thought! Yes, there is still laundry and housework to do, but don't use all your energy to do the 'have to's', save a little energy to do the fun stuff too. I think that applies to all of us, not just me.

They're Engaged!!!

Wow, it's official! Nic and Gina are engaged!!! He asked her to marry him last weekend, and she said yes. We've known Gina since she was 1 year old, I used to babysit her and her older brother David. Her Mom is one of my closest friends, can I tell you how excited I am???

I actually kept it a secret for a couple weeks, I didn't even tell Heather, and she knows everything that's going on here. They are getting married in the Manti Temple in August. She has lived in Utah for the last 20 years, and Manti has one of the most beautiful, old temples. I'm still dancing for joy!

Roping the Wind

I'm back from Maricopa AZ. Mom had cataract surgery last Thurs, and it went very well. We went back Friday morning to remove the patch, so now I can't call her 'One-eyed Jack' anymore! She could see better right away, it's an amazing surgery. She was a little unsteady on her feet, must have affected her equilibrium or something, other than that Mom's doing very well.

Of course while I was in southern AZ, I found a family member to visit for more genealogy information. I'm working really hard to find all the family members possible and invite them to the reunion, as well as include them in the book. I want this to be accurate, but interesting, a story about the immigration and daily lives of our ancestors. I'll try not to just make things up, but I do have literary license, and I'm not afraid to use it- I'll make sure it's clear that those parts are 'conjecture', not fact. I spoke with Eva Haines, and she gave me a letter written a couple years ago by a Haines family member from Texas. I was able to find a phone number for her, and we agreed to trade records. I'm hopeful she had information I don't have, and maybe something to help me get the Haines family out of Texas!

It's cloudy today, and we may even get some rain tonight. I'm praying for rain- we need it desparately again. Heather is praying for sunshine, me for rain. Too bad we can't shift the clouds west for a few weeks- they need a break and we need the moisture. Anyone got a rope???